California
Student files religious discrimination suit over San Diego schools’ vaccine mandate
By Alejandra Molina — October 26, 2021
(RNS) — A 16-year-old high school student is suing the San Diego Unified School District in federal court, claiming religious discrimination over vaccine mandates that require eligible students to be fully inoculated against COVID-19 by the end of December.
In Los Angeles, spiritual convoy urges unity to preserve Apache sacred site Oak Flat
By Alejandra Molina — October 18, 2021
MALIBU, Calif. (RNS) — Apache Stronghold — a coalition of Apaches, other Native peoples and non-Native supporters seeking to preserve Oak Flat — gathered Sunday at the Wishtoyo Chumash Village in Malibu in Los Angeles County as part of a spiritual convoy to San Francisco.
One year later, advocates pressure for charges to be dropped in toppling of Serra statue
By Alejandra Molina — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Referred to as the 'Indigenous Peoples 5,' the five protesters are each facing one count of felony vandalism for leveling the statue at Mission San Rafael Arcángel in San Rafael.
Newsom launches council to focus on teaching California students about the Holocaust
By Alejandra Molina — October 8, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — 'We are offering an antidote to the cynicism that this is how things are, and responding to that hate the best way we know how — with education and empathy,' California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
‘Spiritual convoy’ heads to California hearing on Apache sacred site at Oak Flat
By Alejandra Molina — October 6, 2021
(RNS) — Apache Stronghold members will stop on their way to meet with Native American communities and faith leaders before an Oct. 22 court hearing.
Where Serra statues once stood, a chance to honor California’s Indigenous people
By Alejandra Molina — October 1, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A year after protesters across California toppled monuments to Serra, Indigenous leaders, artists and others are seeking to activate those sites in a way that would memorialize the state’s Indigenous people.
Vote over Muslim nominated by Biden stalled by GOP boycott
By Joseph Hammond — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — Republicans have failed to appear at confirmation hearings for a nominee who, if confirmed, would be the highest-ranking Muslim in the administration.
Largest Catholic parish in US being built in ‘heart of California’s dairy industry’
By Alejandra Molina — September 14, 2021
VISALIA, Calif. (RNS) — ‘It’s the best-kept secret in the nation — little Visalia building the largest parish church in modern U.S. history,’ said the Rev. Alex Chavez.
San Diego lawsuit claims California’s ethnic studies curriculum promotes Aztec gods
By Alejandra Molina — September 7, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The fact that the Aztec religion is not formally organized and is non-Western in its origin does not excuse the constitutional violations,’ said attorney Robert E. Weisenburger.
California recall candidate Larry Elder to visit megachurch offering COVID-19 vaccine exemptions
By Alejandra Molina — September 2, 2021
(RNS) — Pastor Greg Fairrington, during an Aug. 1 sermon, told congregants of his church to ‘do your job as Christians on Sept. 14 and vote yes on recalling an immoral governor.’
California, LA County both to pay $400,000 settlement to John MacArthur’s church
By Alejandra Molina — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — This agreement, county officials said, was reached in the context of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in February that told California it couldn’t enforce a ban on indoor worship because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Homeboy Industries takes ‘quantum leap’ in wake of funding bonanza
By Alejandra Molina — August 16, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The nonprofit founded by Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle has received a $20 million gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and $15 million in funding from the state of California.
California Catholic bishop tells priests to decline vaccine exemption requests
By Alejandra Molina — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy said Catholic social teaching doesn't justify a religious exemption to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
California synagogue shooting suspect pleads guilty
By Associated Press — July 21, 2021
SAN DIEGO (AP) — John T. Earnest called 911 to say he had shot up a synagogue because Jews were trying to ‘destroy all white people,’ authorities said.
Sikhs, finding religious freedom on the road, take outsize role in American trucking
By Joseph Hammond — July 16, 2021
(RNS) — The trucking industry has attracted generations of Americans by offering good salaries for work that allows drivers to essentially be their own bosses. That workplace freedom has drawn many Sikhs in the Sikh American community to pursue trucking.
